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Mizzima: The path to reconciliation
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Perspective
The path to reconciliation in Burma
By B. K Sen
July 18, 2001, Mizzima News Group (www.mizzima.com)
Burma's Calender has notable dates. Some are marked as religious
holidays, some are public holidays and some national holidays. One day
is a day of mourning and that is tomorrow, the 19th of July. Over half a
century back, in the year 1947, the national tragedy happened in this
South East Asian nation. U Aung San, the father of the Nation along with
his 10 collegues were assasinated in the broad day light in a dastardly
act by his arch political rival. This day, since then, has been
observed as a day of national mourning.
However the observance has been drastically downsized and reduced to a
formality by the military dictators who seized power in 1962. None the
less the significance of the day has not been lost.
The day is significant because it revealed to the nation that the
instrument of violence in politics only caused destruction to the
progress of the nation. The death of U Aung San caused an irreparable
setback in the march of the nation to progress. The nascent democracy
which he bequethed to the nation became a victim of violence. The nation
has been living for four generations under the rule of military
dictatorship as a result of violence. The violence which the junta
adopts to perpetuate its rule, although different, is fundamentally same
as it was in 1947.
The name of the game is grab political power by eliminating those in
oppostion. This violence however is more subtle and sophisticated.
Violence in the new context has been given the name force. The
motivation is same that is to perpetute a rule devoid of legitimacy by
brute force.
This 19th July, first of this century, has added significance in the new
context that the junta has entered into talks with the leader of the
opposition, victim of its violence. Incidentally, the victim of this
violence is the daughter of the father of the nation who was a victim of
the dastardly violence of 1947. The talks are viewed with guarded
optimism by all lovers of democracy.
Whether the talks are sincere, whether they will be successful or
whether it will be a prolonged affair are important concerns. But these
concerns need not cloud the overall view of the issues. The talks is a
symbol of respect to the opposition force and recognition of its
inherent strength. Ironically it amounts to a temporary political cease
fire. The guns of unbriddled repression will have to be kept in silence.
The hardliners in the army have to understand that talks is the only
option before the country. U Aung San who was the head of the Burma
Patriotic Forces which fought in the independence struggle finally
entered into talks with the colonialists to usher in Independence.
The path of violence was renounced and the path of negotiation was opted
for. Negotiation has proved to be best instrument for regime change. U
Aung San also set the example that Army must stay away from politics. He
therefore discarded the army uniform and spearheaded the anti-fascist
People?s Freedom League to carry on politics. The hardliners have to get
out of their mind set that they alone can deliver the goods. The time
tested truth that the will of the people is paramount must be respected.
May 1990 Election enabled them to test the will of the people. The path
of reconciliation is better for the country and best for them. All the
concerns of the Army leaders will have to be taken into consideration
and a mutually acceptable solution fair and equitable will have to
worked out.
A dialogue inclusive of all legitimate forces and interests with
sincerity will have to be entered into after confidence building has
been achieved in course of the talks.
This 19th July 2001 can become a historic day if a poitical settlment
can be arrived at. It will be inauguaration of a new era of peaceful
transition to democracy and peace. Hopefully the nation will rededicate
to the noble cause for which the martyrs made the supreme sacrifice.
(B.K.Sen, the author is a member of Burma Lawyers? Council based in
Thailand)
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<b><font size=+1>Perspective</font></b>
<center>
<p><b><font color="#000099"><font size=+2>The path to reconciliation in
Burma</font></font></b></center>
<p><i><font color="#FF0000"><font size=+1>By B. K Sen</font></font></i>
<br><i><font color="#FF0000"><font size=+1>July 18, 2001, Mizzima News
Group <a href="http://www.mizzima.com";>(www.mizzima.com)</a></font></font></i>
<p><font size=+1>Burma's Calender has notable dates. Some are marked as
religious holidays, some are public holidays and some national holidays.
One day is a day of mourning and that is tomorrow, the 19th of July. Over
half a century back, in the year 1947, the national tragedy happened in
this South East Asian nation. U Aung San, the father of the Nation along
with his 10 collegues were assasinated in the broad day light in a dastardly
act by his arch political rival. This day, since then, has been observed
as a day of national mourning.</font>
<p><font size=+1>However the observance has been drastically downsized
and reduced to a formality by the military dictators who seized power in
1962. None the less the significance of the day has not been lost.</font>
<p><font size=+1>The day is significant because it revealed to the nation
that the instrument of violence in politics only caused destruction to
the progress of the nation. The death of U Aung San caused an irreparable
setback in the march of the nation to progress. The nascent democracy which
he bequethed to the nation became a victim of violence. The nation has
been living for four generations under the rule of military dictatorship
as a result of violence. The violence which the junta adopts to perpetuate
its rule, although different, is fundamentally same as it was in 1947.</font>
<p><font size=+1>The name of the game is grab political power by
eliminating those in oppostion. This violence however is more subtle and
sophisticated. Violence in the new context has been given the name force.
The motivation is same that is to perpetute a rule devoid of legitimacy
by brute force.</font>
<p><font size=+1>This 19th July, first of this century, has added significance
in the new context that the junta has entered into talks with the leader
of the opposition, victim of its violence. Incidentally, the victim
of this violence is the daughter of the father of the nation who was a
victim of the dastardly violence of 1947. The talks are viewed with guarded
optimism by all lovers of democracy.</font>
<p><font size=+1>Whether the talks are sincere, whether they will be successful
or whether it will be a prolonged affair are important concerns. But these
concerns need not cloud the overall view of the issues. The talks is a
symbol of respect to the opposition force and recognition of its
inherent strength. Ironically it amounts to a temporary political cease
fire. The guns of unbriddled repression will have to be kept in silence.
The hardliners in the army have to understand that talks is the only option
before the country. U Aung San who was the head of the Burma Patriotic
Forces which fought in the independence struggle finally entered into talks
with the colonialists to usher in Independence.</font>
<p><font size=+1>The path of violence was renounced and the path of negotiation
was opted for. Negotiation has proved to be best instrument for regime
change. U Aung San also set the example that Army must stay away from politics.
He therefore discarded the army uniform and spearheaded the anti-fascist
People?s Freedom League to carry on politics. The hardliners have to get
out of their mind set that they alone can deliver the goods. The time tested
truth that the will of the people is paramount must be respected. May 1990
Election enabled them to test the will of the people. The path of reconciliation
is better for the country and best for them. All the concerns of the Army
leaders will have to be taken into consideration and a mutually acceptable
solution fair and equitable will have to worked out.</font>
<p><font size=+1>A dialogue inclusive of all legitimate forces and interests
with sincerity will have to be entered into after confidence building has
been achieved in course of the talks.</font>
<p><font size=+1>This 19th July 2001 can become a historic day if
a poitical settlment can be arrived at. It will be inauguaration
of a new era of peaceful transition to democracy and peace.
Hopefully the nation will rededicate to the noble cause for which
the martyrs made the supreme sacrifice.</font>
<p><font size=+1>(B.K.Sen, the author is a member of Burma Lawyers? Council
based in Thailand)</font>
<p> </html>
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